The list of apostles in Matthew 10 is divided by pairs, evidently reflecting their sending by twos, in the limited commission. In the gospels Judas appears in last place and always with the identification of being the Lord’s betrayer.

Apparently, nobody suspected Judas. He was the treasurer entrusted with the donations for the support of the Master and his group. In the world, he who controls the money is an important person, so Simon the Zealot must have been happy with Judas as his preaching partner.

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, however, something must have disturbed Judas’ heart, until it was finally won over. When the disciples went out on the limited commission, they had to give up suitcases and savings, in order to depend on the hospitality of their hearers. The man who loved money and, perhaps, found in it his comfort and value, must have found such experiences frightening, at least.

Jesus throws us out into the world without the props that the world depends on. We have his presence and the fellowship of the brethren, but we lack the false security of those outside of Christ.

It remains to be seen if we will trust in the Lord, or if at the end we will try, like Judas, to guarantee the sustainability of our cause. And, in the process, betray the Savior, and wind up in last place.